The winner of an art exhibition donated her prize money to support a new therapy programme for seniors.

Lee Petty’s painting earned the Best in Show accolade in the Bermuda Arts Centre’s Nautical show.

A spokeswoman for the charity, based in Dockyard, said: “We partnered with the Bermuda Sloop Foundation and have given part proceeds of our sales to support them, because they are wonderful neighbours and we feel what they do for children is awesome, as well as our belief that sailing is a form of art.

“We offered an award and prize of $1,000 to the Best in Show at our opening, held on the Bermuda Sloop.

“Lee Petty won the award and imagine our surprise when the award was accepted by her daughter Rachael Petty — Lee was off Island — who informed us that Lee would not be accepting the money, but instead donating it back to our new Senior Art Therapy Programme.”

She said the programme will start in January.

The spokeswoman added: “The programme is designed for seniors that are willing to get out of the house but may not be able to do so with certain disabilities or transportation.

“The programme will offer various artistic classes from painting to ceramics, with transportation to and from the various locations.

“It will start once a month but the Bermuda Arts Centre is hoping to gain interest and be able to offer more classes, more often with more senior activities.”

Judges said of Ms Petty’s piece: “Your painting has it all — several modes of boating, a sense for Bermudian custom and community, a composition that moves the eye across the painting, and a palette that captures a certain time of day with great beauty.”

• To sponsor or help at a Senior Art Therapy class, contact Heidi Cowen at the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard on 534-2809 or e-mail bermudaartscentre@gmail.com